Sep 23

Knitting Machine Pumpkin

It's that time of year again! You want as many pumpkins for your fall market as possible, and the knitting machine is your most useful tool. If you've never made one before, please allow me to assist you.

Creating pumpkins on the circular knitting machine is so fun! You can make them so many different ways and colors. You can add things to make them unique and beautiful, themed, anything you want! I am currently in the midst of full-on market prep for my first market of the year, and only one of two that I do yearly, so I'm trying to make all I can.

This quick tutorial will show how to do a basic large pumpkin. I've created a video, and I'll also type out what I did as best I can for those (like me) who have a hard time following videos.

So, let's get to it!

To create knitting machine pumpkins, you'll need to know the basics of the circular knitting machine: how to cast on, how to cast off, how to "double-up," which means you fold one half inside the other, as if you're making a beanie. There are many tutorials on how to do all of these things on YouTube, if you're unsure how.

To make the large pumpkin above, I used a thin gold yarn that came in a blanket-making kit years and years ago, so I don't know the exact weight or name of the yarn. I used two strands, however, because it is a thin yarn.

You will also need scissors, a tapestry needle, and stuffing

First, you cast on to your big machine (either an Addi 46 or a Sentro 48), set your yarn into your feeder and tensioner (I used the smallest tension for my pumpkin), and carry on cranking!

Crank out 80 rows

Cast off of your machine with a long tail

pull both ends closed
double your work
tie the tails together to secure and close the pumpkin
turn your work inside out so that the tails are inside now, cut them short and reserve them for later.

Thread the longest tail onto your tapestry needle. Pick up your work and pinch the open end closed, take the needle and weave in and out of every other stitch around the end. This creates a drawstring that will help you close that side.

Stuff the pumpkin, firmly but not too much.

Now, I usually go back through those stitches to double-secure the opening. Tie the tails together 2-3 times. (Be careful not to pull too hard because sometimes yarn breaks and it's frustrating)

DO NOT cut the tails yet.

To create the sections of the pumpkin, you may want to refer to the video because I'm sure I can't explain it in a way where people will understand. But I shall try!

Using your longest tail, wrap the yarn around the ball, lined up with the stitches and rows, put your needle into the middle of the pumpkin from the bottom and pull it through the top. Pull it tight to create a dent in the ball.

Do the same thing several more times, several rows away from each dent.

Tie the tails and hide them.

Now you're done with your Knitting Machine Pumpkin!

That's it! That's all you have to do to make a pumpkin!

Hopefully this helps you out in your market-planning

NOTES

I crocheted the stem and leaf on my pumpkin with just some simple stitches, I didn't write the pattern down, but there are many people with stem and leaf patterns for free all over Pinterest.
Also try creating a green icord with a crochet hook or machine, inserting a wire or pipe cleaner and curling it like a vine. (I have a photos of one below that I made for a finger knit pumpkin)
The small brown pumpkin was made using 40 rows. The same kind of yarn was used, but in brown